Scotland To Host Pakistan For Two ODIs In May

Scotland will take on Pakistan in two One-Day Internationals on 17th and 19th May at Citylets Grange, Edinburgh in what will be the first matches between the two sides since 2007.

They have not met since the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, when Pakistan ran out winners and the sides have played three ODIs between 1999 and 2007.

The games will form part of Pakistan's preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is hosted in England and Wales in June.

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"These fixtures are a fantastic boost for Scottish cricket," captain Gordon Drummond said. "We have the chance to qualify for two global ICC events in 2013, and now we find we also have the opportunity to play two top Test nations with Australia also visiting for an ODI in September. These matches are particularly important for the development of the current squad.

"We are all really looking to welcoming the Pakistan team to Scotland once again, and these fixtures will undoubtedly build on the already strong ties between the Pakistani/Scots community.

"It’s a fantastic platform for us to show what we are capable of, as we did with victory against Bangladesh last year- these are the sort of matches that every Scottish squad member will want to be involved in."

Cricket Scotland Chief Executive Roddy Smith added, "We are delighted to have secured these two ODIs against Pakistan. Following the ICC’s additional investment in Cricket Scotland through their TAPP scheme, we committed to secure further matches against the Full Members.

"These games are vital to continue our progress and measure ourselves against the best in the world, and are integral to the on field improvements desired for by the ICC. We are very grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for their support in making these games happen."

Scotland v Pakistan - a potted history

1999 (ODI, Chester-le-Street): Pakistan beat Scotland by 94 runs en route to the World Cup final. Mohammad Yousuf hits an unbeaten 81, Scotland are all out for 167 in reply to 261 for six. Scorecard

2006 (ODI, Edinburgh): Half-centuries from Ryan Watson (80) and Neil McCallum (68) help Scotland post 203 but Yousuf thwarts them again with 83 not out as Pakistan recover from 94 for five to win by five wickets. Scorecard

2007 (ODI, Edinburgh): Match abandoned due to rain

2007 (Twenty20 World Cup, Durban): Younus Khan hits 41 in 29 balls to set up a 54-run win for Pakistan although they are briefly put under pressure by Fraser Watts' 46 in 35 balls. Scorecard